The IBA Agenda

Our Vision: Through Canada’s
Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas initiative the nation’s most
important sites for birds will be conserved.
The following action plan describes how this will be
achieved.

Provide Good Science The success of the IBA Program depends on the
scientific integrity of our data. With our partners,
we’re developing protocols to track bird populations,
respond to threats and assess our conservation success.
We’ll validate IBA data at all levels of input to ensure
accuracy and cross-country consistency in site
assessments and monitoring systems. We will use rigorous
scientific standards to evaluate and prioritize existing
and potential IBAs, in both terrestrial and marine
environments.

Develop Strong Partnerships
IBAs should be “top-of-mind” when decision makers
develop plans that could impact these important sites.
We’ll work with all levels of government, including
First Nations, to incorporate IBAs in land-use planning
policies, and we’ll engage corporations and private
landowners to include IBAs in their decision-making,
too. Through public awareness campaigns, innovative
partnerships with industry, and strengthened bonds with
our non-government partners, we’ll enhance the profile
of the entire IBA network and achieve greater protection
for these priority sites.

Conserve IBAs on the Ground
Each IBA has unique needs for its long-term
conservation. With our partners, we will plan and
implement on-site conservation actions at all
high-priority IBAs across Canada. These efforts, varying
from site to site, will include: restoration of degraded
habitats; site monitoring; community awareness-building;
alternative income projects; collaborative management
and sustainable use practices; national campaigns
against major threats; land purchases; enhanced
management and enforcement in IBAs within protected
areas; and the establishment of new protected areas
encompassing IBAs.

Enable a Network of IBA Caretakers
IBA Caretakers volunteer their time and expertise to
safeguard local birds and their habitats. They are the
eyes, ears, feet and hands on the ground at IBAs.
Caretakers monitor bird populations, report on threats,
and build IBA awareness in their communities. With our
regional partners, we will expand our network of
Caretakers to cover most IBAs in Canada, and we’ll equip
our volunteers with the tools they require to be
effective observers, advocates and citizen scientists.

Safeguard Migratory Flyways
About 90 percent of Canada’s birds migrate within and
beyond our borders. We work to protect them throughout
their range. As Supporting Partners of BirdLife
International, we help conserve migratory flyways
throughout the Americas, working alongside our southern
partners and providing financial resources and
scientific expertise to advance our shared conservation
goals.